DURANGO, COLORADO -- Well, I guess this could've have been categorized as a complaint, but oddly enough, I wasn't really that upset for some reason. I was visiting the Arby's store in Durango, CO during lunch. I walked inside and there was only one person standing in line. I took my place in line. The odd thing was that no one was in sight to help us. We waited about 2-3 minutes and the customer in front of me finally gave up on the idea of eating anytime soon, and decided to leave. By this time, I was more curious than hungry, so I waited. And waited. And waited. 5-minutes pass by and nothing. I yelled, "Hello, can somebody please help me"? Again, nothing. I figured maybe they were in the walk-in cooler restocking and just couldn't hear me, and maybe out back hauling trash. Again I yelled for assistance or service. Nothing. Okay, they got my attention. I'm mystified and curious as heck. I yelled, "If someone doesn't help me, then I'm jumping over the counter and helping myself". Figured that would get a rise out of someone. Nothing. By this time, I'm about 20+ minutes into my quest for lunch. 20-minutes and I've not seen nor heard ANYTHING. To heck with it, life's too short. I jump the counter and walk to the manager's office, which is wide open and unattended (as is the safe). I looked around the back store room area and nothing. I glanced out the back of the door and saw nobody at the dumpsters. Man, oh man, is my level of wonder shooting through the roof. Last place to check is the walk-in cooler, which is generally soundprood, so perhaps they just hadn't heard me. A real possibility is that they were being robbed and holed up inside the cooler...or maybe I've watched one too many movies. Regardless, it was time to act. I flung open the cooler door and what did I find? Nothing. Okay, let's review. No one in the lobby, no one behind the register, manager's office door is left wide open, no one in the parking lot, no one in the cooler. Sciene fiction movie plot perhaps? Well, I figured I've done as about as much as one concerned citizen can do, so I call in the big boys. I called 911, and relayed my story to the police. I waited behind the counter to ensure no bad elements tried to jump the counter and enter the manager's office or anything. I did have a fun time trying to explain my presence when two other customers came in while the police were en-route. When they showed, they drew their guns and did a thorough search as well. Nothing. How can a fast food restaurant of this caliber, in a busy town during lunch, be completely deserted. Well, I won't leave you hanging onto the edge of your seats any longer. The police found the manager and two employees parked on the side street getting high. The police wouldn't elaborate on the drug of choice, but they were all pretty incoherent. As the ol' saying goes, "You would've had to seen it to believe it". Just unreal. The police thanked me and I was later contacted by the store manager and comped a free meal in the city where I live. So, you can see why I was more intrigued than upset, and didn't categorize this as a complaint. Weird, but true!

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Poor Customer Svc. Mgr Threw Bag of Food in My Face!

Posted by Monica on 05/25/2013

Rating: 1/51

PLANO, TEXAS -- Manager took my order. When I got to the window, I wasn't sure if there was another window that I needed to go to since he took my credit card then handed it back to me and shut his window without words. He finally came back with my food. I checked my order, looked for my receipt, and handed my kids their beef sandwich. When I brought to the attention of the manager that I did not receive my receipt, he rolled his neck and said he gave me my receipt. He stated that he hands receipts back with credit cards. I said, "No, I am sorry, but it is not in here."

I checked with my credit card that I set in the compartment near my driver seat. I checked under the last beef sandwich that was in the bag. He said, "Mam. I know what I am doing and I always give the receipt. I put it in the bag." OK --- He just said he gave it to me with my credit card. Now, he states he always puts it in the bag. He said, " If you are just saying you didn't get a receipt to get a free combo, then I will give you this card (as he held on to it very tightly waving it in my face), but I am sure I gave you the receipt. I said, "Sir, I really don't need free food, but if your protocol is to give a receipt and you don't give me one, then it is your policy that we alert the manager and a free meal is honored at the next visit."

As he accused me of "just wanting free food", I tossed the bag back up onto the window ledge and told him he could check the bag. He had the nerve to crumble the bag and throw it back at my face!! I went inside and told him that the only reason I am asking for a receipt is to keep up with the money spent on feeding my children vs groceries to cook, because it is very hard for me to cook due to an injured arm and I want to justify the spending at restaurants. He said, "Well, I am going to apologize, but you need to apologize to me first!"

I stated that I wanted my order replaced and the card for my combo since he did not follow his protocol AND I wanted my receipt still with his name on it so I could complaint to the higher up. This is not a store that I visit...this was my first time here. I happened to take food to my ill aunt and uncle who just lost a sister and this happened to be on the way home. I will NEVER visit this location again!! NOT EVEN FOR THE FREE COMBO! POOR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!

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Wheres the Super Arby Sandwich?

Posted by Jakub52 on 09/20/2012

Rating: 2/51

Like most fast food restaurants these days, the drive through menu is impossible to navigate - and since I have a day job, I haven't had a chance to determine whether they (Arby's) even still has the Super Arby sandwich which was the large RB with lettuce and tomato. I was, however, nearly blinded by all the panels hawking some turkey sandwich...who on God's green earth goes to Arby's for turkey?

I know beef is expensive these days and so are tomatoes, but Arby's has never ever been shy about selling pricey sandwiches. And not everybody is on the downlow. Arby's never was aimed at that type anyway.

So, if you're going to cater to the penniless, I guess that's fine, you have to pay the light bill. But criminently, you're there for roast beef (at least in my former life you were) and that's why I go to your restaurant. In fact, as an Arby's customer for at least 30 years...its the ONLY reason.

So here's a tip - to get your old faithful customers back (who by the way were never slack about parting with a buck) to your now empty restaurants: Construct a drive through menu with the stuff listed a la carte and have a large clearly stated area on the menu for your (flagship) roast beef sandwiches. And for heavens sakes, if you dropped the Super Arby sandwich (I would presume all for the cost of tomato slices) then just close the place down - you're history.

As a rule of thumb I refuse to order anything from a menu that is 90% bundled stuff, and I can't find what I came there for; and if you can't offer a roast beef sandwich with the time honored lettuce and tomato (instead of a bunch of other garbage on it) I'll just go to Krogers and buy the stuff and make my own.

McDonalds lost my business long ago because of their horribly designed menu (and lousy hamburgers).

I don't like anybody telling me what to order with my sandwich. I'll decide that myself - based on the sandwich and its price - a la carte, thank you. If this is mysterious to Arby's - send someone at corporate to a White Castle drive through sometime. They actually list the menu items SEPARATELY! Wow! Isn't that a great idea?

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Surveys given invalid validation codes for free Roast Beef

Posted by Youcanlocateus on 09/02/2011

Basically 3 weeks ago my wife, grandson, and I ate at Arbyâs. We went back and got grandson some fries. We had 2 receipts and did the FREE Roast Beef for a survey. I was told I could only do ONE SURVEY A WEEK WHEN I called in. I did one survey by phone and my wife did the other survey on line. The validation code for online was twelve hundred and something and the phone validation code was 1553?.

One week later we went to redeem our offers. We were told any code below 1558? was outdated. I showed the cashier the date stamp for a week ago and written on the receipt, âOffer valid for 30 daysâ¦â and asked how they were outdated. We were told rules are rules. The place was busy and many were listening to our conversations including a peace officer. Our receipts were denied.

We did the surveys again immediately and asked for a reply online and someone to call me by phone concerning Arbyâs inconsistencies. No one has contacted me. I really do not why I am wasting my time doing this again.

We went in today and were told the validation code was outdated and we could only do the survey once a month. Again I showed the cashier the date stamp for a week ago and written on the receipt, âOffer valid for 30 daysâ¦â

I remarked on my survey, "If the validation code I am about to receive is less than 15?? It will be outdated before it is issued. Check to see if you gave me an invalid validation code."

My validation code was 1322W which was outdated before it was given to me.

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To the Guy Who Complained about not getting change for a $50 bill

Posted by Quite Interested on 09/29/2010

To that man who complained about the cashier wouldn't give him change for $50 bill at the drive through window. He stated he had worked for fast food. OH really? Then you should know there are signs posted in most fast food places that specify no change for 50 or 100 dollar bills. This is for the cashier's safety. Maybe you're not also aware these places do get robbed at gun point. Each drawer contains a certain amount of cash to serve customers and any overage that would cover change for large bills jeopardizes the cashier's safety. In many cases the cashier can be a high school student working between school hours, or a senior citizen supplementing a Social Security check. Also to that rude customer who complained about the cashier not being able to find the product on the cash register's menu. Were you really in that much of a hurry you forgot your manners? The cashier was probably new and struggling to learn what is a complicated system that isn't as simple as it looks. Fast food places will throw their new cashiers in the mix without prior training and expects them to wing it as a greenhorn. The cashier is probably doing the best he can under the circumstances of irate customers who think, Hey, you're just a peon attitude and I the customer am God. The customers need to look at themselves and consider, Hey this is just a fast food joint. The workers are only paid minimum wages to do the chores of what can be equivalent to three or four people at one time. Plus listen to irate customers, the same people who act like they're in a five star restaurant. You want exemplary service go to that five star restaurant where the workers get paid their worth and serves you accordingly. Otherwise when you are greeted, Hi and Welcome to our store. May I help you or May I take your order. At least have the decency to smile back and stop taking your anxieties out on some kid or senior citizen. And when you leave have the courtesy to thank the worker for keeping the restaurant clean inside and outside, including the bathrooms, scrubbing up after sloppy customers, keeping up the stock filled dispensers ie;ice cubes, beverages, napkins, condiments etc. Which can be a nightmare in between trying to run the register. For giving you the best service they are capable of giving under those circumstances. Lastly for thanking you for your patronage even though YOU were rude to them. In this economy that cashier just might be an out of work head of a family teacher, administrator, police officer that got laid off and this is the best he or she can do for the time being. Who knows one day that under appreciated cashier might be you.

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Time to make some change...literally!

Posted on 04/01/2010

FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO -- I was taking a lunch break from work, and I decided to pick up some lunch for my wife and I on the way home. I stopped at the only Arby's in our city, and went through the drive-through. I ordered $15.45 worth of food & beverages. In my wallet I had a $5 bill, a $10 bill, and a $50 bill. No more or no less. Since the combo of the $5 & $10 left me $.45 cents short, I was forced to give them the dreaded $50. The lady taking my order was great, the food I ordered and later ate was equally delightful. But getting them to give me change for the $50 was a NIGHTMARE! The cashier said she couldn't make change for the $50. I asked very polityly, "You can't or you won't"? There is a huge difference. This is during lunch rush, mind you. I said I'd give them the $15 I had if they'd let me go on the $.45 cents. No dice. I asked to speak to the manager. He said they didn't have change. I started to become agitated. I said in a little firmer, yet polite tone, "You mean to tell me that during a lunch rush, between two lobby registers, the drive-through register, and the safe in your office, that you don't have $35 in change"? It wasn't as though I only ordered a Coke and wanted $48+ dollars in change. I had spent over $15 and only wanted back $34.55 in change. The cashier was trying to be polite throughout the entire situation, but the managaer then reaches in her register, grabs the correct change, hands it to her, and turns around to walk off and says loudly enough for the entire restaurant to hear, "Well, if he's going to be an ***hole about it, then just give it to him. Are you kidding me? The cashiers jaw just about hit the floor. She was stunned to say the least. I asked for the manager's name and the store number. I contacted corporate headquarters immediately upon arriving at my house. Two days later a district manager called to "investigate" the situation. He asked about details of the conversation, and repeatedly said that an employee in his branch would never use such language. So, then you're calling me liar? Long story short with him, I DEMANDED a written apology from the manager of the store, and a refund of my meal. No refund was given, but I was comped two complimentary combo meals of my choice. The problem that irrated me the most, is that they "have" the change, but don't want to give it to you. Too much hassle. And yes, I started working at a fast food restaurant for about 1-yr, just after I graduated highschool. I know how much each drawer is given per shift, running out of change, etc...I can relate to why they try and justify their thought process. But on any order over $5-$10, giving change should not be an issue. The problem with boycotting Arby's is that I love their food. Arby-melts are to die for! Just the hassle getting them is what is horrible.

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As If the Wait Wasn't Enough...

Posted by Flapjack Bill on 07/16/2009

SAINT PETERSBURG, FLORIDA -- On Tuesday, July 14th 2009 went to the Arby's on Tyrone Blvd., which lacks a drive through but is the only one remotely close to where I live. With my wife and 3-year-old waiting in the car, I went in to find one poor soul sitting in a booth by the door holding a receipt, obviously waiting for his order to be filled, and 2 other customers in front of me. This didn't look good, but service there has never been stellar and I was getting a pretty good deal with the coupon I was holding so I decided to stick it out.

After waiting 10+ minutes watching a manager and 2 other crew members bumble around in the food prep area shouting at each other and the girl running the register, I finally arrived at the counter where, after I stood there for at least another minute unacknowledged, the register girl said "I'll be right with you!" as she walked by running some other errand. Little did I know those words were the closest thing I was going to get to any kind of human decency during my visit.

Not long after the register girl left, her heavy-set, female manager got behind the register and mumbled something like "are you waitin' on...?". I said that no one had taken my order to which she replied, "OK, whachoo want? C'mon, let's go!" while making that 'come on, spit it out' circling/waving motion with her hand. I was so dumbfounded, all I could think to say was "Nothing, with that attitude!" and I walked out. You would think that SHE was the one who had been cooling her heels in line, having HER time wasted but apparently I was keeping her from something more important (BTW, this was about 6:30 in the evening, nowhere near closing time).

Now, as an aside, I know what it is like to deal with the public (and some people can be real a-holes to deal with) and an incompetent crew that you may or may not have had any say in hiring, but never have I ever spat that kind of venom at a paying customer who was nice enough to patiently wait it out while I/my team got their act together. There are days when none of us feel like going to work, let alone smiling or being cheery with customers. I get it. If I listed my occupation, one would probably agree that I get it more than most. I'm pretty forgiving in this area, and a simple "sorry about the wait, what can I get you?" (I'm not even going to wish for "sir" anymore) would have been all it took to get us back on a level playing field, but this was apparently too much to ask.

Even if getting to the next closest Arby's involved air travel by bush plane and a dog sled ride over frozen tundra, I would not fulfill my craving for a potato cake at this company's Tyrone Blvd. location.

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Asked for a Super Arby and Got Classic

Posted by Nancy on 12/18/2013

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS -- Went to Arbys store #24 on Springfield. Mom and I have not had a Super Arby for a long time, so that is what we asked for. Opened it up and it was a regular roast beef and on the receipt it said classic it did have lettuce and tomato. To me the sandwich was awful. What happened to the super. It had some kind of french dressing stuff on it. We did not complain or take it back but was very disappointed. We both love Arbys. But if they did away with the super they should have said something I would of got one of the other choices. Just disappointed in what I was expecting.

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Service

Posted by Rita on 10/22/2013

Rating: 1/51

WASHINGTON, INDIANA -- We went to Arbys in Washington last night for dinner. It took us 10 minutes just to place our order. The manager on duty was outside smoking when ee pulled in. When we seen her come in she never washed her hands and proceeded to handle the food. As we just and ate our. Food we could hear her cursing and being very loud and UN professional. We will not be returning to Arbys if she is working. We were very disappointed in her ability to manage the store. We always pick a restaurant. Once a week to eat dinner at and the service we received. Monday evening was horrible. She looked very young and in our opinion had no business being in charge..

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I Have Never Eaten in a Dirtier Restaurant W/filthy Servers in My Life

Posted by Jane on 10/20/2013

Rating: 1/51

BANGOR, MAINE -- We paid for our dinner, then I visited the bathroom which was so dirty I almost gagged and the odor stayed with me throughout my meal. We were then served by a group of people that were standing in a corner around a table talking, they all wore very soiled and stained shirts and were very disheveled people. No manners, no personality, at all. It was as though we were bothering them. Our order was half processed while we waited at our table for the remainder of our order.

Upon opening our sandwiches we were shocked because we had eaten the New Brisket Sandwiches in the Presque Isle Restaurant and it was so delicious. This was not. One sandwich had no barbecue sauce which my husband went back to the counter for sauce. My sandwich was just okay, it had very little onion strips added but we were so anxious to get out of the facility that we did not go back to the counter. Then, the girl that brought the rest of our order to our table was so dirty, her shirt was wrinkled and stained so badly that my husband said that he would not go to work in those clothes and he works in a big State Garage.

They would not allow him to dress like that. We were so distressed that we did not even finish our meal and left. I will never return to that restaurant and have told all my friends to "stay away!" We would never again be served by people in that restaurant.